The piece describes how precipitation matters from roughly Halloween through May 1, when the area normally receives a little more than seven inches—yet this year saw about a 50% deficit. It also notes that March and April are normally key for spring moisture, but this year those months received only about half the usual amount. Even when lawns stayed green for a time, the column says tall fescue is a cool-season grass that should use fall and early spring to develop roots and store carbohydrates, and dry conditions can lead to root desiccation.
Another common issue is that lawns can be wet without having enough oxygen in the soil. The column explains that saturated pore spaces limit root function, especially in compacted clay where water may be trapped near the top while air space disappears. It recommends mowing tall fescue at about four inches when possible to protect crowns and support photosynthesis, and highlights aeration—often best in fall—as a way to restore space for water and air when soil compacts.
Written by Jeremy Elliott, who owns a lawncare business and lives in the Great Bend area, the column argues that resilient turf is built through repeated, well-timed care rather than one application or watering routine.